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Ms. Mercado announced that there will be follow up from the Planning Department for <br />questions that were not addressed during the meeting. <br />The following question was asked and addressed during this portion of the meeting: <br />Q: What are the next steps for the planning process? <br />A: Right now we are collecting a lot of information and having a lot of strategy meetings. There <br />are several task forces working to solve the different pieces of the puzzle. This work will result <br />in a comprehensive recovery plan, but we are still in the beginning stages of that. <br />A member of the public stated that he would like to see 'ohana units allowed on Agricultural <br />land again. He stated that he would like to see preapproved house plans that can be built <br />quickly and not go through a 6 month permitting process, to expedite building for those <br />affected by the lava flow. He also stated that he would like to see 'ohana units be allowed to <br />provide rental housing in existing subdivisions with infrastructure rather than build new <br />subdivisions. <br />Ms. Surprenant addressed his concerns and announced that the County is currently exploring <br />opportunities for expanding the number of building plans that are preapproved for permits, to <br />reduce the permit process to a few weeks. She also stated that the County is working on how <br />to outline different methods for building a guest house or 'ohana. Some of the building plans <br />that are being considered for preapproval fit the criteria for a guest house or 'ohana unit. The <br />County is currently looking at various locations in Puna where vacant lots can be infilled as well <br />as allowing more opportunities for 'ohana units to be constructed in existing subdivisions as a <br />means to help Puna residents remain in Puna. <br />Councilwoman, Jen Ruggles, announced that a bill was submitted to the legislative research <br />branch to address the amount of time it takes for approval on building permits. This <br />amendment exempts any designs that are stamped by a licensed engineer or architect in the <br />State of Hawai'i from structural review. She asked the community to stay tuned for further <br />updates regarding the progress of the bill. <br />Chair Brown stated that recovery efforts need to correct the deficiencies in Puna that the PCDP <br />speaks to. Chair Brown suggested that the Action Committee and County should start thinking <br />about how we can move forward with the development of village centers to address issues in <br />the Puna community. <br />Committee Member Kowono motioned that the Puna CDP Action Committee meet monthly <br />regarding disaster recovery in Puna. The motion was not carried because it was not agendized <br />that the AC would be considering a monthly meeting schedule. The topic will be considered as <br />an agenda item for the Puna CDP Action Committee meeting on September 4, 2018. <br />AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: (September 4, 2018) <br />1. Discussion of a possible monthly meeting schedule for the Puna CDP Action Committee. <br />ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m. <br />All Action Committee information can be viewed and downloaded from our website: <br />http://www.hawai icountycdp.info/puna-cdp/implementation/puna-cdp-action-committee <br />www.hiplanningdept.com puna(a-)hawaiicounty.,-ov Page 5 <br />